Six Hutt Valley companies will get funding from Callaghan innovation to employ students over the summer break, allowing them to gain important work experience in New Zealand’s fast growing hi-tech sector.
R&D Student Experience Grants allow students with science, technology, engineering design or business qualifications to advanxc3 their skills and understanding of commercial R&D within New Zealand companies.
The local firms to host students are: Formway Design Ltd of Seaview; Tekron International and Times-7 Holdings of Alicetown; CRL Energy and Nuenz of Gracefield and Pertronic Industries of Taita.
Hutt south Labour MP Trevor Mallard and national list MP Chris Bishop have both welcomed the news.
“There are some great brains working in these companies, many of which are working on the smell of an oily rag,” Mallard said.
“Technology is the future of the valley, and it is good to see this recognised in these grants.”
Bishop said he was pleased that Callaghan Innovation is developing a process that better matches businesses with graduates who have completed their study.